New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-19
CONFIRMING BID APPOINTMENTS.

Apparently some Republicans are willing to
SEQ Mr.. Lamar confirmed, in spite of his In
disputablc unfitncss, because they think the Of
| fcnsiveness of such an appointment would be
| longer remembered and would have greater
weight with public opinion in that event than
! if he should be rejected That is possible, but
| it is not good reason for placing on the SUI
prcmc Court bench man against whom there
are valid objections so many and so serious.
1t would equally serve as a reason for confirm
ing every bad appointment and for confirm
ing the worst Of them all the more willingly.
Senators have no right to place in the court OF
last resort man Of Mr.. Lamar's opinions, con-
duct and record or of his personal associations
with jObbcrs and regulators. because they
think SO improper selection may reveal to the
public more of the true inwardncss Of Prcsi-
dent Clevclands Administration.
The Presidents appointments have not pro-
duccd the impression upon the public mind
which they should have produced. The re-
sponsibility lies largely with Senators who
Lave been induced to confirm some Of the very
worst of his appointments, and so have de-
barred themselves and their associates from
the most effective criticism of the President.
Whether individuals have consented to vote
for men they know to be unworthy, in order to
retain other worthy persons or certain OF their
friends in place, or whether they have been
merely blind, complaisant and indispoScd to
seem captious in their action, the result has
been loss of opportunities of moral force.
Injustice has been done to those Senators who
have not consented to confirm unworthy men.
% hos h.n
used to shelter bad appointments and unworthy
bargains. and to confound the Republican Sen
ators who have done their duty faithfully with
others who have not. II is not strange that
one Senator earnestly advocates the abolition
of secrecy. and wants to let public opinion
have its legitimate influence upon the conduct
of Senators who consent to appointments
which they do not like to publicly defend.
This reform is probably not near at hand.
President Clcvcland's supporters arc perfectly
aware that publicity would not make his APP
pointmcnts appear less Objectionable. Open
discussion Of the merits of nominations would
fix attention upon improper selections. Bar
gains would be less frequent. The President
would more rarely venture to nominatc per-
sons cOnspicuously unworthy or unfit if he
knew that DISCUSSION WIN open uOOIS Noulh
bring the facts to public attention. But if
Senators will not consent to let in the daylight
they can at least find some occasion to explain
the reasons which lead any Of them to confirm
such man as Mr. Lamar.
In truth, there ought TO be carefully
prepared and made public. in some authorita-
tive form before the present session ends,
review Of the changes which have been made
in the public service since President Clcvc-
land was inauguratcd, Of the manner in which
Civil Service principles have been observed or
disregardcd. Of the number Of removals, en-
forced designations and appointments, the char
actcr and records of persons appointed. and
tho resulting change i'll the efficiency Of the
service. 1t is right that the public should have
light on these matters. If large increase in
the number of officers or clerks in any branch
OF the service has been made or asked it is
right that the public should be informed why
more men were needed. If unframed persons,
and persons selected for partisan reasons only,
have multiplied mistakes and blundcrs, rem
dercd the service less valuable to the people,
and sacrificed public welfare to party or phi
vate interests. it Is right that the fact should
be made known.